UNPACKING THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY LITERACY

We all know it is essential to read to young children. But, just how important is it? If we delve into the elements that drive the “why,” the significance factor of literacy exposure “levels up” to critical. There is so much packed into this simple interaction.

Early literacy provides endless opportunities. An opportunity to accurately express needs and wants via language. A chance to create and communicate a highly personalized vision of the world through speech, writing, and oral expression. An opportunity to make independent decisions in conjunction with learning paths. In short, Early literacy affords our children the latitude to navigate our world and reach their full potential.

The statistics speak for themselves. But you don’t have to take our word for it . . .

• Early language predicts behavior and emotional regulation. For example, among children who attended Early Head Start, vocabulary at age 24-months was a grand indicator of executive function at three, four, and five years of age.
• The number of words children hear under the age of five predicts later reading success. Findings indicate that early expressive vocabulary at age two can significantly predict the 16 language and literacy outcomes such as letter identification, phonological awareness, vocabulary, and reading comprehension over nine years.
• Children showing strong reading practices and skills by third grade predict high school graduation.

As we head back to school with so many children having less and less access to language due to lack of social interaction, one concern continues to rise from Pre, TK, and K teachers – behavior. Imagine how powerful it could be if all our youngsters could express, “I am frustrated.” It would be a teacher’s dream!

Power is not just found in language but also written word. When four-year-olds write out the “story” next to their picture, they can express what they created on paper. Sure, the text is most likely wholly phonetic and riddled with random capital letters. However, this simple act offers a glimpse at the things that are truly important to them. In a world in which we are educating children for their future lives, there is nothing more important than providing them with continuous tools to use their voice, explore their creativity, and communicate their needs and new ideas. Literacy is the driving power behind future school and workforce success.

Now that we know the crux of the complicated “why,” let’s pause to look at the “how.” Numerous approaches and activities provide children with exposure to early literacy. Here are just a few strategies to try. Not a parent or teacher? Don’t stop reading now just because you are an uncle, neighbor, or business owner. We all have a part to play. Stay with us, and we will explain.

• NO APP FOR LAP – unhook from the technology and get a book between you and your child. It’s that simple – just read to them.
• FANCY TALK – ditch the baby talk and elevate your language. Incorporate high-level vocabulary in your daily conversations. Further your reach by dropping to a child’s level and looking them directly in the eyes when you converse with them.
• MAGIC POST-IT NOTES – sticky notes make everything better. Let your children, students, or customers draw, make marks, or write words on the notes to share thoughts, ideas, or play games. Display these throughout your home, place of business, or classroom. Post-It Notes can also be used to vote on ideas or share stories with others.
• PICTURE IT – a picture is worth a thousand words to our kids too. Offer up a photo, magazine ad, or illustration and ask your child to explain what’s happening in the image. Encourage the imagination to soar while allowing the picture to guide the process.
• RHYME TIME – rhyming is becoming somewhat of a lost art but is beyond important in the early literacy game. It’s the gateway to phonics and beginning reading. Try playing lay back and forth verbal rhyming games, exposing your children to nursery rhymes, and having fun with words that sound the same!
• ONLINE SUPPORT – for more ideas and activities, google early literacy or hop on Pinterest.

Finally, we can uncover the “where.” Early literacy opportunities are available in countless places on a local level. Tehama County has so much to offer if you know where to look.

Local preschool programs are professionals when it comes to early literacy! From day one, they provide an endless stream of activities and interactions that foster development. If you are interested in learning more, call our local Pregnancy to Preschool Partnership. Call (530) 528-7305 or check out this brochure to learn more (HERE).

Farmers Markets in Red Bluff and Corning are ripe with fantastic organizations peddling easy and excellent literacy resources, activities, and ideas. Look for booths sponsored or hosted by the Tehama County Department of Education, Tehama Reads, Expect More Tehama, or Tehama County Library at these weekly community events. In addition, the Corning Chamber of Commerce pushed into their farmer’s market to offer gift card rewards for families that signed up for online reading logs resulting in more than triple the number of sign-ups they had last year!

“When planning the market this year, I wanted to engage kids in a meaningful way,” shared Manager at Banner Bank and Corning Chamber of Commerce Board Member Renee Dent. “Through our collaboration with the Corning Library and First 5 Tehama, we were able to get more than 50 kids signed up for the summer reading program. As a bonus, the incentives gave kids a chance to discover new fruits and vegetables – it was a WIN-WIN!”

Are you interested in joining the cause? Start small by adding a sticky note question in your staff room. Or, interact with children in your business with some “fancy talk,” sign up to read an online store for local children (here), or go big by setting up a free little library (email Karla Stroman:​​kstroman@tehamaschools.org).